Superoxide-Driven Aconitase FE-S Center Cycling

O2- produced by the autoxidation of respiratory chain electron carriers, and other cellular reductants, inactivates bacterial and mammalian iron-sulfur-containing (de)hydratases including the citric acid cycle enzyme aconitase. Release of the solvent-exposed iron atom and oxidation of the 4Fe-4S2+ cluster accompanies loss of catalytic activity. Rapid reactivation is achieved by iron-sulfur cluster reduction and Fe2+ insertion. Inactivation-reactivation is a dynamic and cyclical process which modulates aconitase and (de)hydratase activities in Escherichia coli and mammalian cells. The balance of inactive and active aconitase provides a sensitive measure of the changes in steady-state O2- levels occurring in living cells and mitochondria under stress conditions. Aconitases are also inactivated by other oxidants including O2, H2O2, NO, and ONOO- which are associated with inflammation, hyperoxia and other pathophysiological conditions. Loss of aconitase activity during oxidant stress may impair energy production, and the liberation of reactive iron may further enhance oxidative damage. Iron-sulfur center cycling may also serve adaptive functions by modulating gene expression or by signaling metabolic quiescence.